GIN LIQUEUR
For the first time ever, Edinburgh Gin’s Raspberry Liqueur has become the fastest growing gin brand in Scotland. The fruity liqueur, one of the firm’s core flavoured liqueur range, achieved a 172% growth from 2014 and is the number 15 gin brand in the Scottish off trade. Handmade in small batches, the liqueur is made with Edinburgh Gin infused with Perthshire Raspberries and pure cane sugar. It’s good on its own or mixed with Champagne, prosecco, cava, soda water or lemonade. It’s priced at £10 for 20ml and £17.99 for 50ml.
TOP BEER
Orkney Brewery’s Skull Splitter ale has won a prestigious award in a top national beer competition. The 8.5% ale came home with a silver category award (Barley Wine and Strong Old Ales) from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Champion Winter Beer of Britain event, held in Derby. Named after Thorfinn Einarsson, the 7th Viking Earl of Orkney, Skull Splitter is Orkney Brewery’s strongest ale, with a string of awards to its name.
Norman Sinclair, managing director of Sinclair Breweries Ltd, said: “Skull Splitter is one of our oldest and best known ales, so it’s heartening for all of the team at the Orkney Brewery to see that it can still hold its own in national competitions of this calibre. Skull Splitter’s popularity has never waned, which is testament to its quality and legendary status amongst discerning drinkers and real ale enthusiasts around the world. It’s won many awards, but continues to do Orkney proud.”
POM ON THE GO
POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice from concentrate is now available in a smaller single serving, on-the-go bottle that’s ideal for breakfast, an afternoon pick me up or post gym workout. Made using only authentic Californian pomegranates and tasting a little sweet and a little bit tart, each bottle contains the juice of one and a half Californian-grown pomegranates. The ruby-red drink is a good source of potassium and is naturally gluten free. Priced £1.59 for 100ml you’ll find it in Waitrose, Ocado, Marigold and Whole Foods.
HAIL VALHALLA
Highland Park distillery in Orkney has unveiled the last in the series of whiskies that celebrates its Norse heritage. ODIN, named for the King of Asgard joins Thor, Loki and Freya to complete the collection. Legend has it that Odin is an intensely complex character. Creating a single malt to reflect the dominant characteristics of Odin was no easy feat but the Highland Park whisky makers have excelled themselves and the result is a powerful 16-year-old single malt.
With only 17,000 bottles released globally, this limited edition whisky comes housed in the same distinctive award winning wooden frame which echoes a traditional Viking long ship. The bottle itself reflects Odin’s character – dark and imperfect and slightly battle worn. On the nose this whisky possesses a fierce spice. Cinnamon bark and nutmeg rise from Odin’s spirit. Behind the spice, toasted walnuts smoulder with pulsating explosions of smoke.
The taste features dense oak combined with rich charred walnuts while there is a subtle sweetness of well-seasoned sherry wines. Plums and soft fruit disappear into the dark as the peaty embers glow into a smoky finale. Odin will be available from specialist independent whisky retailers, at the Highland Park distillery and online and has a recommended retail price of £180.
ADDING A DRAM
Magners Irish cider has made an innovative new spirit cider, called a ‘spider’, which combines premium apple cider with a hint of smooth Irish whiskey. Magners with Irish Whiskey, best enjoyed in a tumbler and served over ice, has the refreshment of cider but with a warm whiskey edge. Containing 25ml of real Irish whiskey in each 500ml bottle, it is available in branches of Asda priced £2.50.
MASTER OF THE GLEN
Single malt, The Glenlivet has launched The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve (£36, 70cl, www.whiskyshop.com) in honour of its founder George Smith, paying tribute to the uniquely smooth and fruity style he first envisioned in 1824 when he established The Glenlivet as a licensed distillery. The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve replaces The Glenlivet 12 Year Old to become a permanent expression within the range and is a no age statement Scotch, similar to the earliest Glenlivet bottles. Aged in first fill American oak casks, the Founder’s Reserve flavours are described by the company as having a fruity profile with a delicious, contemporary twist of creaminess.
ULTIMATE LUXURY
The Macallan has unveiled The 1824 Masters Series featuring two stunning decanters. The range, including Reflexion and No.6, features the finest single malt, 100% sherry seasoned in oak casks. These have been crafted to showcase the signature style of The Macallan and honour the beautiful spectrum of natural colour unique to this exceptional single malt.
Sitting atop Ruby within the current 1824 Series, these striking new decanters, will carry whisky connoisseurs through the range to the crescendo of M, the halo of the entire series and the world’s most valuable single malt whisky.
Ken Grier, director of malts, Edrington, said: “The new 1824 Masters Series represents an extremely exciting development for The Macallan. The stunning designs and overall imprint of this new collection are not only worthy of some of our most complex and precious single malt whiskies, they celebrate the very foundations that make The Macallan so special – our glorious range of natural colour and the outstanding quality of our casks .” The Macallan Reflexion (43% ABV) is priced at £900, while The Macallan No.6 (43% ABV) is priced at £2,800.